2012 media releases
Illegal Working for Families Tax Credits claims results in home detention
3 May 2012
A Manukau woman has been sentenced to seven months home detention and ordered to repay just over $68,000 in reparations for filing false Working for Families Tax Credits, donation tax credits, and Paid Parental Leave claims to which she was not entitled.
Loata Taufua Patolo had earlier pleaded guilty in the Manukau District Court of falsely claiming the refunds, which resulted in a loss to Inland Revenue of just over $68,000, and attempting to claim a further $31,000. She was charged under the Tax Administration Act and Crimes Act.
Group Manager Assurance, Patrick Goggin, said that Patolo's offending occurred between 2006 and 2011.
"During this period, Patolo received Working for Families Tax Credits for her three children, even though they had all left the country in early 2007 and are still overseas.
"She also applied for tax credits for an additional child in her care, to which she was not entitled, and filed using other peoples' names and false details."
Mr Goggin said that Patolo also claimed donation tax credits, both in her own name and her partner's name, along with false Paid Parental Leave credits using forged medical certificates and by telling Inland Revenue that she was self-employed.
"This was a deliberate and concerted effort to obtain money from Inland Revenue. Patolo clearly understood the tax rules, because not only did she file a number of false claims, but she also filed in three different tax types.
"Our staff became aware of the offending when our investigation showed that the refunds, including those claimed for different people, had been paid into Patolo's bank account.
"This case is a reminder that Inland Revenue examines all tax credit claims and the organisation is using its resources and techniques to catch those making fraudulent claims.
"We are making it easier for customers to receive their tax refunds as quickly as possible but unfortunately there are those who try and cheat the system.
"No matter how much effort, time, and even money a person spends trying to avoid paying tax, or claim money illegally, they will be caught in the end," said Mr Goggin.
For further information:
David G. Miller
(04) 890 1743
(029) 890 1743
david.miller@ird.govt.nz
Other media releases this year
- Court decision supports Inland Revenue's search procedures
- Students heading overseas: talk with Inland Revenue first
- Commissioner’s Statement clarifies tax treatment on accommodation allowances
- Church members sentenced for false rebate claims
- Fitness business operator sentenced for false GST claims
- Inland Revenue welcomes Supreme Court’s latest Trinity decision
- Inland Revenue extends timeframe for Penny and Hooper-equivalent disclosures
- Inland Revenue apologises for releasing customer information
- Inland Revenue website wins 2012 NetGuide Award
- Sentencing a warning to tax cheats
- Warning about hoax phone calls offering tax refunds
- Inland Revenue launches Compliance Focus 2012-13
- Tax advisors sentenced in multi-million dollar tax evasion case
- Phone ID service attracts more than 400,000 people
- Woman jailed for tax fraud
- Deliberate and repeat tax evasion results in prison
- Ex-contractor sentenced to home detention for tax evasion
- Christchurch bar owner sentenced for tax evasion
- Community service after false GST claims
- Inland Revenue releases industry benchmarks
- Student loan, KiwiSaver and Working for Families changes
- Property developer sentenced to home detention for tax evasion
- Repayment deadline for student loan borrowers overseas
- Home detention and reparations for tax evasion
- Prison for tax fraud and evasion
- Inland Revenue clarifies Hanover debt-for-equity swaps
- Blenheim man sentenced to home detention for tax offences
- Community detention for dishonesty and fraud
- A year in prison for tax evasion
- February tax payment reminder
Communications and Inquiry
Inland Revenue
To make a media query:
Phone 04 890 1698 or email mediaqueries@ird.govt.nz
Please note, the email address is only for enquiries from the news media. It is monitored during normal business hours 8am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
P O Box 2198
Wellington 6140
New Zealand
Date published: 04 May 2012
Back to top
